The week leading up to the new year wasn't exactly how I had pictured it. It was the last week of the boys winter break. I had envisioned walks around downtown looking at the lights, taking down the Christmas tree together, continuing our holiday baking marathon and maybe even a little post Christmas mall browsing. But alas, none of those things happened.
The flu happened.
Or rather, what I guess must have been the flu. Whatever it was took whatever energy (and appetite) I had left to give 2011.
Thankfully, I had made a big batch of lip balm the week before Christmas to give as little handmade gifts to my girlfriends. Thankfully because....well when this girl is sick, she need the comfort of chapstick.
This recipe is super simple. The only hang up I ran across was getting the honey to mix completely into the coconut oil. And beesewax takes alot longer to melt than I had anticipated.
Otherwise it was a really fun afternoon project. I am left only to kick myself for spending so much money on drugstore lip balms all these years.
The recipe came from this blog last year and I tweaked it a bit and she grabbed it from this book where she had tweaked it a bit.
Sweet Orange Lip Balm
8 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
3 Tablespoons Beeswax
1.5 Tablespoons Raw Honey
30 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
(if you want color) 1/2 stick of natural lipstick (I like Jane Iredale and Josie Moran)
3 Tablespoons Beeswax
1.5 Tablespoons Raw Honey
30 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
(if you want color) 1/2 stick of natural lipstick (I like Jane Iredale and Josie Moran)
Place oil, beeswax and honey in a double boiler (or heatproof bowl resting on top of a small saucepan of simmering water). (As a side note, I picked up an extra double boiler thrifting that I use just for beeswax crafts, which really makes cleanup easier.) Heat gently until everything has melted.
Remove mixture from heat, and add peppermint oil and lipstick. Stir until blended.
Place the pan or bowl in a larger bowl full of cold water. Stir quickly until the mixture begins to change in consistency (it will become thicker).
Place the pan or bowl in a larger bowl full of cold water. Stir quickly until the mixture begins to change in consistency (it will become thicker).
Pour mixture into containers, place covers on, and let sit to cool and set up.
(fills approximately one dozen 1/2 oz tins)
I, for the life of me, cannot find the website for the supplier of the lip balm containers I bought. I did stumble across this one which has a nice selection. Not as cheap as what I had originally ordered but pretty reasonable.
Here's to a great 2012~ I have lots to look forward to. Maybe a little R&R to start off the first of the year is just what the doctor ordered.
31 lovely notes:
We were also sick the last week of 2011. On the lip balm note, thank you for sharing! Homemade lip balm as been on my to do list for about 4 yars, lol!
i use straight coconut oil on my lips, it's so handy and always in the kitchen. we have had this flu cold thing going around the house since the new year...frown. and it's summer...frown. well wishes.
Thats a good idea too, Krist! I hadn't considered. Since buying coconut oil (my first time) I have switched over to using it to pop popcorn instead of our previous oil choice. So yummy!!!!
It has alot of health benefits. I need to read up on it more.
Sorry for the sickness in your neck of the woods. It doesn't seem anything can put a damper on those gorgeous Australian beach days, though~
Boo to being sick.
Happy New Year though.
Thanks for posting! I will definitely be trying this soon. Where did you get your beeswax?
Great question Stacy! I found the beeswax at our local food co-op. I had asked at Whole Foods and they don't carry it (atleast not at ours here in Lexington).
I was able to find all of the ingredients at the co-op, actually. Good luck! :)
Megan:
I made this last year after seeing it on Amanda's blog and loved it. I found my containers at The Container Store. I also tried Eucalyptus oil and it was yummy!
Happy 2012 to you and your adorable family!
xoxo Amy
Thanks for the tip, Amy! And I love the Eucalyptus idea too. I can't wait to make many essential oil flavors !
these look awesome. what a clever little maker you are! x ashley
I have a tin of Rose Salve that's lasted years and was wondering if the homemade salves last as long? If so, I would love to try this and experiment with different essential oils--thanks so much for sharing!
-Melinda
one thing to try to prevent the honey from separating is to add it at the end, after the mixture has cooled a bit. You also want to add your essential oils at the end too after it has cooled slightly (less chance for the essential oil to degrade)
also, if you grate the beeswax, it melts quicker
Melinda...that is a great question. I am not sure how long the lip balm lasts. Does anyone else? And thanks "anonymous" for those tips. I will definitely incorperate them into the next batch I make!
I found some great ones here, seems like a reasonable price for the amount you get. Would be curious if anyone else has any other ideas?
http://www.ebeehoney.com/lip_balm_tins.html
Containers also available at www.papermart.com. You could also do little screwtop jars.
Thanks for the info on suppliers! I love the idea of screw top lids. They are a bit more pricey but they would last a bit longer and might be easier to find in the bottom of a purse (...that may or may not be the case with me ;)
Do you have suggestions for how I can make those beautifully printed labels you have for the lip balm?
What nice labels and an easy way to make lip balm. I have everything on hand and want to try this soon! My guess on how long they would last -- check the expiration date on the coconut oil or honey. Since these items would most likely deteriorate the quickest, I'd make that the expiration date on the lip balms. I got my beeswax @ Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I think most craft stores carry it.
BTW, I like the look of your blog. Very clean and easy to read.
you make it sound so easy,think i'll have to try this one. I have saved a number of "altoids" gum tins knowing there must be a good reuse for them.!Now I have one!! There are a number of little tins out there. You could also use the little tins that mints come in. thanks again
I use organic coconut oil and local bees wax. It is perfect all year round - never leave it in a hot car though! I like the plastic twist tubes and I use a shoe box that I cut x's into for the stand to hold the tubes while I fill them. I find this very affordable and they make wonderful gifts. I get my tubes here: http://www.chemistrystore.com/cart.cgi?group=75096&child=75107
FYI - Honey never goes bad; I think it is the one and only food that never spoils. Thank for the post. I'm going to give this a try. Anyone have any great experiences with other oils??
I was just wondering if you can use candy or baking flavoring instead of essential oils?
I would avoid using any synthetic oils or baking oils. Try to stick with essential oils if you can. There are certain ones/blends that are good for skin use and are inexpensive. Hope that helps!
i recently made this lip balm for my brother's girlfriend as it was her 25th birthday. i really try to handmake all of my gifts and they're usually sewn.
i had never tried anything like this before. this blog was very straight-forward and i am happy to say that my lip balm making was a success.
i used the website that was provided to buy my tins and bought all of the other materials at the co-op in Lawrence, KS. i ended up having 19 of the small sized tins filled to the brim with lip balm. i wasn't going to give emily 19 lip balms for a lifetime supply, so i gave the excess out to some of the lovely women in my office (and a few of the men) as well as to my boyfriend's mother and one for him also. they LOVE it! after the gift giving and samples given at work, they're all gone with only one left for myself... a second batch is needed already, although i will do a smaller one!
thank you for posting such a great blog (the comments also helped me as they answered most of my questions and reassured me before i made the lip balm).
i, for one, will never buy store bought lip balm again. i calculated the cost of materials alone and for each tin it was around $0.80 to make. why would you EVER buy from the store when you can make it so inexpensively? it doesn't dry out my lips like Burt's does either--so smooth and moisturizing. again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks SO much Christy for that great comment. I'm glad we are in agreement ;) These lip balms are great...and cheap...and easy to make!
Thanks for posting such a glowing review of the process~
In the Salt Lake City,Utah area, skip Michaels as the bees wax is $20 per pound. Jones Bees has it for $4.75 per pound. Natural color only. They have other bee keepers supplies.
Called local IFA for bees wax. Theirs has other oils not recommended for children-their bees wax was for for saddles. Don't know if I would use. Read ingredients first.
Those are good thoughts. I purchased my beeswax at our local health food store in the beauty aisle. I hadn't considered there would be other forms of beeswax not safe for skin. Thats a good thing to check into. Thanks!
Growing up on the farm we always made our own "beauty products". There was nothing better than Grammy's Rosemary Mint Lip Balm. Your recipe reminded me of when we'd stand on our step stools (Grammy was only 4'5") at the stove, slowing stirring a batch of balm. Thank you for bring back such a sweet memory.
Some essential oils are NOT meant to be ingested. Some essential oils should NOT be used during pregnancy or while nursing. Always check the label (if you can read the tiny writing on the bottle) or go to the manufacturer's website.
I too use Aura Cacia in my lotions & some other body products so I thought I'd pass on their product safety link.
http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/ar_safety.html
Trina...Rosemary mint sounds like an absolutely divine combination. I think that might be next on my list!
Okay, so I tried this recipe. The first try was not successful--the honey separated from the wax/oil mixture. Here are a few tips:
1. Ratio of 8 parts oil to 3 parts beeswax makes a fairly firm, waxy balm. Change the proportions if you want something softer.
2. Change the proportions to TRY the recipe without making a huge amount. For instance, use 1/4 teaspoon as the measure and the 8:2 or 8:1 ratio of oil to beeswax.
3. The honey is the hardest part to incorporate. I had a glob of honey in the bottom of the pots. I had to scrape all of it out and redo the batch. The key is to melt the wax and oil together, then add the honey and stir stir stir until it is fully incorporated and the mixture starts to thicken/change texture. THEN pour.
4. Instead of a double boiler, I made this in the microwave. I used a microwave-safe measuring cup and added the oil and wax. Just zap using a lower power and in 30-second increments, stirring with a wooden craft stick as you go. Take it out, stir a bit and then add the honey and essential oil as it's cooling.
Post a Comment